Saturday, May 12, 2012
READING, Pa. – Reading United’s one-goal lead from the first minute of play couldn’t hold up over the remainder of the game, as a late New Jersey Ranger equalizer sent both teams home with a point in the standings.
Rangers midfielder Dritan Sela’s pass from the left side of the box in the 83rd minute had eyes between United defenders towards the far post as Michael Dietze finished with a blast past Reading keeper Emmanuel Martin to knot the game at 1-1. The play followed one of numerous missed opportunities for United in the offensive third, as New Jersey keeper Paul Killian spurred the counter-attack following a weakly driven shot. Reading was left scurrying on the counter, and was a step behind the entire length of the field.
Reading’s Paul Wyatt had gotten things started for the United before most fans got settled into their seats. His blast from just outside the penalty area on the right side stunned Ranger keeper Paul Killian just 45 seconds into the match for a 1-0 Reading lead.
“They simply outhustled us the entire game,” said United head coach Brendan Burke. “We are lucky to come away with a point after the effort we put out. We need to refocus for our [U.S. Open Cup] match on Tuesday.”
Both teams had chances late in the game for a second goal. Reading’s best chance came right before allowing the tying goal, as some nifty passing inside the box between led to a point blank shot by Julian Cardona that was snuffed out by Killian in the 81st minute. Jersey nearly stole three points on the road after Sela found Alex Brito by the far post in stoppage time, but Martin made a critical stop to keep the score tied.
The late goal ruined what was otherwise a perfect night for soccer for United fans, as Reading returned to Albright College’s Gene Shirk Stadium for the first time since 2004. Reading will make another “homecoming” of sorts, as Tuesday’s U.S. Open Cup match against the USASA’s New York Greek American Atlas will be held at Fleetwood High School for the first time since 2003.
Reading’s U.S. Open Cup appearance on Tuesday evening will be their fourth straight in the tournament, which ties an amateur record. Game time is 7 p.m. at Fleetwood High School’s historic Ray Buss Field, and tickets can be purchased online at readingunitedac.com or at the gate.
2012 Reading United Game Day Tickets and Season Tickets now available at readingunitedac.com. Also available: Game Day Youth Packages, Group Discount Packages, Birthday Parties and Fundraising Ticket Packages. Contact Denise Strohmayr at denise@readingunitedac.com for all your group needs.